How to Save Money & Energy in 2019
February 25, 2019
With a new year, the hope that comes with a fresh start has a lot of folks making plans for a healthier, happier 2019. And after an absolutely devastating wildfire season here in California, many are looking to make 2019 a better year.
While some New Year's resolutions may be starting to drop off like going to the gym more often and diligent penny pinching but putting your own home to work when it comes to saving more money in 2019 is one that you should make last. A better performing home conserves energy and in turn saves you money—here’s how.
How Efficient Was Your Home in 2018?
If you were to reflect on your energy bills from this last year, which months hurt the most when it came time to pay the utility company? Was the hot summer a struggle? Or did the winter seem to hit the hardest? You could try and diagnose your home yourself, making guesses at where your home is losing energy and wasting money, or you could call in the pros and get an in-depth, diagnostic look at exactly where you could make home performance improvements.
The Brower Mechanical energy audit is tailored specifically for this purpose. We use scientifically precise equipment to show you exactly where your insulation may be in need of some love, what home heating and cooling appliances are wasting electricity and fuel, and if there are any hidden holes in your home’s construction that are allowing for outside air to infiltrate and inside air to escape.
The Year of Solar Energy
One way to conserve your energy usage and save money is to generate your own power, using energy from the sun. With the price of solar panels steadily declining over the last ten years, 2019 is the perfect time to consider installing a residential solar electric system.
Taking advantage of the current Federal Investment Tax Credit will reduce the overall cost of your installation by 30%, and depending on the size of your solar photovoltaic (PV) system, you can virtually eliminate your electricity costs. Brower Mechanical also offers solar options for your home’s water heater, as well as heating your pool.
Smart Moves: Home Heating & Cooling: Equipment
After you’ve received the report from your Brower Mechanical energy audit, it is possible that upgrading your home heating and cooling equipment will save your home the most energy going in 2019. Advancements in the efficiency of modern air conditioners and furnaces, as well as new popular appliances like mini-splits have given homeowners more efficient options for their home comfort equipment.
In addition to using more efficient equipment, integrating “smart” systems into your home is also proving to save homeowners increasing amounts of energy and money. In the November 11 episode of the Brower Power Hour podcast, Duane and Bill discuss the ins-and-outs of getting smart with your home comfort. Smart technology not only integrates with your phone for complete control anywhere in the world, but it also assists in home zoning and learns your family’s daily, weekly, and monthly habits, adjusting for customized efficiency without sacrificing any of your home comfort!
You Don’t Have To Spend a Lot to Save a Lot with Brower
Some of these upgrades may sound intimidating or too good to be true. But at Brower, we have worked diligently to put together as many rebate and financing options available as possible to keep it affordable for homeowners in Sacramento, Elk Grove, Galt, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Roseville, Rocklin, Auburn, Davis, Yuba City and Granite Bay, CA.
You can even come take a look at all of these home upgrades in person when you visit our Rocklin showroom, filled with interactive and hands on displays to give you all the information you need before upgrading your home performance in 2019.
